When is the Best Time for Your Teenager to Start Driver’s Ed Courses?

I couldn’t wait to turn 16 to get my driver’s license. I was so excited and asked my dad a million questions about how to pass the written and driving test. After all, I did not want to fail the Test. I knew I was getting a car for my sixteenth birthday. Therefore, it was imperative that I passed both tests on the first try.  When it came time for me to take the exam, I nailed both of them with high scores.  However, to get there took some trial and error. Today’s Mom Guide is sponsored by  Igottadrive.com. All opinions and life stories are my own

My dad attempted to teach me how to drive. I remember one late night we were driving home from the grocery store. As we approached our normal turn my father decided to take a detour and drove to the mall parking lot. He then parked the car and told me “Ready to get behind the wheel” I quickly, slid over to the driver’s side, of our gigantic family van, as my dad stood in the driver’s side door well to help guide the steering wheel. I slowly pressed my foot on the wheel and proceeded to drive straight, at least, I thought I was. After about 30 seconds, I heard my dad say “Stop! Stop!” along with a loud starching noise and thud. The car slowly stopped up against a big throne bush that was sitting in the middle of the parking lot. I was so excited to drive, that I didn’t notice the bush!  So as I drove the car slowly against the side of the bush, my dad jumped out of the door well to avoid being smashed.

My dad approached the passenger side of the van and said: “Well that didn’t turn out, quite like I thought it would.” He originally planned on teaching me how to drive himself and having me learn the written test by studying materials he found at the DMV. However, the incident shocked him so badly; that he decided it was better to pay someone to teach me to drive. Later he told me, that spending the extra money was the best thing he could have done. I passed both my written and driving tests on the first try, as I mentioned above.

Now that both of the boys are of driving age, Matt and I started to discuss, when we wanted them to start taking a Drivers Ed course.  After all, there are a lot of things for us to consider.

1. Are we going to purchase a car for Them or are we willing on letting them drive one of ours?
2. Are they responsible enough to be trusted behind the wheel?
3. Can we afford the increase on our insurance?

As young adults, there will be so many obstacles they‘ll have to come over, and we do not want them to need a license to be one of them. Therefore, after going over all of our concerns, we both agreed it was time, they both had their license and found an affordable option for them to prepare for their written exam online.

The igottadrive.com online driver’s ed course is much different than most online or offline programs. What I like most is they use a unique teaching method, and their goal goes beyond passing a test. They are focused on developing safe drivers in order to decrease the risk of future collisions, instead of my son memorizing a bunch of answers just to pass the written exam. He is given the information in a fun and interactive way via a virtual road trip across the United States.

As they progress through their lesson they are rewarded for completing sections and can share their accomplishments with friends via social media.

I know, that when I was studying for the written exam some parts were very hard for me to figure out. The program, I was in did not have the tool available for me to gain a better understanding of the material.  I  am glad I have my teen in this program because it builds his knowledge from learning basic car safety to advanced driving maneuvers such as parallel parking. What’s more, if he gets stuck in a section, he can go back to take the lesson over again or look through their driving tips.

Therefore, When is the Best Time to Start Driver’s Ed Courses? 

I personally believe it’s when the parents feel that their child is ready. My dad started teaching me at age 15, but I waited till my son was a bit older. Either way, I am thankful to have access to such a powerful tool, and I’m excited to be on this new journey with my boys.

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